Big Barns, Castle, Dunrobin

This is an early to mid-18th century rectangular barn, converted into four dwellings in 1858 under the direction of architect George Devey. The building is constructed of harl-pointed rubble with ashlar dressings. The south-facing front is asymmetrical, featuring a projecting wing added in 1858 at the southeast corner with a four-centred chamfered arch entrance and flanking windows. A further entrance is located at the southwest, and a canted porch is positioned at the west gable. A canted dormer with a three-light window sits at the front, complemented by simpler gabled dormers at the rear. Bipartite windows are found on the ground and first floors of the east gable, where two original barn slit vents remain; similar bipartite windows are present at the west gable. The roof is slate covered with coped ridge and wallhead stacks, the latter being particularly tall. Most windows are currently boarded up, although some original multi-pane glazing remains.

Historical records from the Sutherland estate show that George Devey, who later became a well-known country house architect, travelled to Sutherland in the late 1850s. His work significantly contributed to the establishment of the characteristic “Arts and Crafts” style architecture seen on the Sutherland estate during the 1860s and 1870s. The building is currently empty and deteriorating.